{"id":6219,"date":"2023-01-20T20:21:20","date_gmt":"2023-01-20T19:21:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/?p=6219"},"modified":"2023-01-20T20:21:22","modified_gmt":"2023-01-20T19:21:22","slug":"rhodopes-the-fortress-of-vultures","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/index.php\/2023\/01\/20\/rhodopes-the-fortress-of-vultures\/","title":{"rendered":"Rhodopes &#8211; the fortress of vultures"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>It&#8217;s early morning a few days after New Year&#8217;s Eve. My other five friends and I get into two cars and set off. We have a 1,600 km long journey ahead of five state departments. Destination: Madzharovo (\u041c\u0430\u0434\u0436\u0430\u0440\u043e\u0432\u043e), Bulgaria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><div id=\"jig1\" class=\"justified-image-grid jig-b8a45d1c9be62b787fca41134a2d99be jig-preset-c3 jig-source-nextgen\"><div class=\"jig-clearfix\"><\/div><noscript id=\"jig1-html\" class=\"justified-image-grid-html\" data-lazy-src=\"skiplazyload\" data-src=\"skipunveillazyload\"><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/20230108_111732crop.jpg\" title=\"20230108_111732crop\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/20230108_111732crop.jpg\" alt=\"Eastern Rhodope \/ V\u00fdchodn\u00ed Rodopy\" width=\"1061\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p class=\"jig-HTMLdescription\">Eastern Rhodope \/ V\u00fdchodn\u00ed Rodopy<br\/>20230108_111732crop<\/p><\/li><\/ul><\/noscript><\/div><br><div id=\"jig2\" class=\"justified-image-grid jig-0e435a8da218e8435830e5f7ea578eda jig-preset-c3 jig-source-nextgen\"><div class=\"jig-clearfix\"><\/div><noscript id=\"jig2-html\" class=\"justified-image-grid-html\" data-lazy-src=\"skiplazyload\" data-src=\"skipunveillazyload\"><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/20230107_100529crop.jpg\" title=\"20230107_100529crop\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/20230107_100529crop.jpg\" alt=\"Eastern Rhodope \/ V\u00fdchodn\u00ed Rodopy\" width=\"1047\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p class=\"jig-HTMLdescription\">Eastern Rhodope \/ V\u00fdchodn\u00ed Rodopy<br\/>20230107_100529crop<\/p><\/li><\/ul><\/noscript><\/div><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In these places, the Arda River cuts into the limestone deposits of the Eastern Rhodopes with a very deep and wild canyon. Wind and water (the Rhodopes are by no means an arid landscape) have created sharp ridges, rock towers, walls and crevices through their erosive action here, which since time immemorial have served as suitable nesting grounds for the undisputed rulers of the local sky &#8211; vultures. In Bulgaria and throughout the Balkans, we can meet three types of vultures. The most common species is the Griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus), the disproportionately rarer the Black vulture (Aegypius monachus) and the third species is the migratory and smallest Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><div id=\"jig3\" class=\"justified-image-grid jig-ee5d040d1f7a5c387e757a041c7717d2 jig-preset-c3 jig-source-nextgen\"><div class=\"jig-clearfix\"><\/div><noscript id=\"jig3-html\" class=\"justified-image-grid-html\" data-lazy-src=\"skiplazyload\" data-src=\"skipunveillazyload\"><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/B12A6095tit.jpg\" title=\"Canon EOS R5, Canon 300\/2,8 L IS USM, tripod : no, flash : no, Tv 1\/1000, Av 5,6, Exp.comp. 0, ISO 200, 7.1.2023, Czech rep.\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/B12A6095tit.jpg\" alt=\"Griffon vulture \/ sup b\u011blohlav\u00fd (Gyps fulvus)\" width=\"1048\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p class=\"jig-HTMLdescription\">Griffon vulture \/ sup b\u011blohlav\u00fd (Gyps fulvus)<br\/>Canon EOS R5, Canon 300\/2,8 L IS USM, tripod : no, flash : no, Tv 1\/1000, Av 5,6, Exp.comp. 0, ISO 200, 7.1.2023, Czech rep.<\/p><\/li><\/ul><\/noscript><\/div><br><div id=\"jig4\" class=\"justified-image-grid jig-5f5dc1bece15b0120d2726ea92d19e8a jig-preset-c3 jig-source-nextgen\"><div class=\"jig-clearfix\"><\/div><noscript id=\"jig4-html\" class=\"justified-image-grid-html\" data-lazy-src=\"skiplazyload\" data-src=\"skipunveillazyload\"><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/B12A6082tit.jpg\" title=\"Canon EOS R5, Canon 300\/2,8 L IS USM, tripod : no, flash : no, Tv 1\/1000, Av 5,6, Exp.comp. 0, ISO 200, 7.1.2023, Czech rep.\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/B12A6082tit.jpg\" alt=\"Griffon vulture \/ sup b\u011blohlav\u00fd (Gyps fulvus)\" width=\"1048\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p class=\"jig-HTMLdescription\">Griffon vulture \/ sup b\u011blohlav\u00fd (Gyps fulvus)<br\/>Canon EOS R5, Canon 300\/2,8 L IS USM, tripod : no, flash : no, Tv 1\/1000, Av 5,6, Exp.comp. 0, ISO 200, 7.1.2023, Czech rep.<\/p><\/li><\/ul><\/noscript><\/div><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Vultures don&#8217;t have it easy in today&#8217;s world. Their numbers throughout Europe are maintained and perhaps even slightly increased thanks to international rescue programs, which include artificial breeding and the release of new individuals back into the wild, the protection of nesting sites and ensuring the supply of food at feedlots. Even then, vulture populations are not won. They are exposed to other risks, such as illegal hunting, pesticides and other toxic substances in the environment, wind power plants, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><div id=\"jig5\" class=\"justified-image-grid jig-1c5f499f7cf54569ce32ff8c8e5218b2 jig-preset-c3 jig-source-nextgen\"><div class=\"jig-clearfix\"><\/div><noscript id=\"jig5-html\" class=\"justified-image-grid-html\" data-lazy-src=\"skiplazyload\" data-src=\"skipunveillazyload\"><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/B12A6062tit.jpg\" title=\"Canon EOS R5, Canon 300\/2,8 L IS USM, tripod : no, flash : no, Tv 1\/1000, Av 5,6, Exp.comp. 0, ISO 200, 7.1.2023, Czech rep.\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/B12A6062tit.jpg\" alt=\"Griffon vulture \/ sup b\u011blohlav\u00fd (Gyps fulvus)\" width=\"1048\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p class=\"jig-HTMLdescription\">Griffon vulture \/ sup b\u011blohlav\u00fd (Gyps fulvus)<br\/>Canon EOS R5, Canon 300\/2,8 L IS USM, tripod : no, flash : no, Tv 1\/1000, Av 5,6, Exp.comp. 0, ISO 200, 7.1.2023, Czech rep.<\/p><\/li><\/ul><\/noscript><\/div><br><div id=\"jig6\" class=\"justified-image-grid jig-b9b774e26a7e348be69914e20a8a0608 jig-preset-c3 jig-source-nextgen\"><div class=\"jig-clearfix\"><\/div><noscript id=\"jig6-html\" class=\"justified-image-grid-html\" data-lazy-src=\"skiplazyload\" data-src=\"skipunveillazyload\"><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/B12A1007tit.jpg\" title=\"Canon EOS R5, Canon 300\/2,8 L IS USM, tripod : no, flash : no, Tv 1\/1250, Av 3,2, Exp.comp. 0, ISO 640, 12.1.2023, Czech rep.\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/B12A1007tit.jpg\" alt=\"Griffon vulture \/ sup b\u011blohlav\u00fd (Gyps fulvus)\" width=\"1050\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p class=\"jig-HTMLdescription\">Griffon vulture \/ sup b\u011blohlav\u00fd (Gyps fulvus)<br\/>Canon EOS R5, Canon 300\/2,8 L IS USM, tripod : no, flash : no, Tv 1\/1250, Av 3,2, Exp.comp. 0, ISO 640, 12.1.2023, Czech rep.<\/p><\/li><\/ul><\/noscript><\/div><br><div id=\"jig7\" class=\"justified-image-grid jig-2e0e1bbb113015d363ab30e54900cfae jig-preset-c3 jig-source-nextgen\"><div class=\"jig-clearfix\"><\/div><noscript id=\"jig7-html\" class=\"justified-image-grid-html\" data-lazy-src=\"skiplazyload\" data-src=\"skipunveillazyload\"><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/B12A3020tit.jpg\" title=\"Canon EOS R5, Canon 300\/2,8 L IS USM, tripod : no, flash : no, Tv 1\/1250, Av 2,8, Exp.comp. 0, ISO 1600, 13.1.2023, Czech rep.\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/B12A3020tit.jpg\" alt=\"Griffon vulture \/ sup b\u011blohlav\u00fd (Gyps fulvus)\" width=\"1050\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p class=\"jig-HTMLdescription\">Griffon vulture \/ sup b\u011blohlav\u00fd (Gyps fulvus)<br\/>Canon EOS R5, Canon 300\/2,8 L IS USM, tripod : no, flash : no, Tv 1\/1250, Av 2,8, Exp.comp. 0, ISO 1600, 13.1.2023, Czech rep.<\/p><\/li><\/ul><\/noscript><\/div><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The &#8220;Vultures Back to LIFE&#8221; rescue project aims to return vultures to the skies of the Balkans to connect vulture populations in Bulgaria and Greece with other populations in Crimea, the Alps and the Iberian Peninsula. In the 1980s vultures were considered extinct in the Balkans. During the last two decades, an international conservation initiative has led to a successful re-The Vultures Back to LIFE rescue project aims to return vultures to the skies of the Balkans to connect vulture populations in Bulgaria and Greece with other populations in Crimea, the Alps and the Iberian Peninsula. In the 1980s vultures were considered extinct in the Balkans. Over the past two decades, an international conservation initiative has led to the successful reintroduction of griffon vultures in Bulgaria, restoring Bulgarian vulture populations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><div id=\"jig8\" class=\"justified-image-grid jig-e58fd56e54a976a11ca8b1a4132e685f jig-preset-c3 jig-source-nextgen\"><div class=\"jig-clearfix\"><\/div><noscript id=\"jig8-html\" class=\"justified-image-grid-html\" data-lazy-src=\"skiplazyload\" data-src=\"skipunveillazyload\"><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/B12A0709tit.jpg\" title=\"Canon EOS R5, Canon 300\/2,8 L IS USM, tripod : no, flash : no, Tv 1\/1250, Av 2,8, Exp.comp. 0, ISO 640, 12.1.2023, Czech rep.\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/B12A0709tit.jpg\" alt=\"Black vulture \/ sup hn\u011bd\u00fd (Aegypius monachus)\" width=\"1050\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p class=\"jig-HTMLdescription\">Black vulture \/ sup hn\u011bd\u00fd (Aegypius monachus)<br\/>Canon EOS R5, Canon 300\/2,8 L IS USM, tripod : no, flash : no, Tv 1\/1250, Av 2,8, Exp.comp. 0, ISO 640, 12.1.2023, Czech rep.<\/p><\/li><\/ul><\/noscript><\/div><br><div id=\"jig9\" class=\"justified-image-grid jig-1e9e8a9012b45a8d83e2f415bac6c997 jig-preset-c3 jig-source-nextgen\"><div class=\"jig-clearfix\"><\/div><noscript id=\"jig9-html\" class=\"justified-image-grid-html\" data-lazy-src=\"skiplazyload\" data-src=\"skipunveillazyload\"><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/B12A9238tit.jpg\" title=\"Canon EOS R5, Canon 300\/2,8 L IS USM, tripod : no, flash : no, Tv 1\/640, Av 2,8, Exp.comp. 0, ISO 800, 12.1.2023, Czech rep.\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/B12A9238tit.jpg\" alt=\"Griffon vulture \/ sup b\u011blohlav\u00fd (Gyps fulvus)\" width=\"1048\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p class=\"jig-HTMLdescription\">Griffon vulture \/ sup b\u011blohlav\u00fd (Gyps fulvus)<br\/>Canon EOS R5, Canon 300\/2,8 L IS USM, tripod : no, flash : no, Tv 1\/640, Av 2,8, Exp.comp. 0, ISO 800, 12.1.2023, Czech rep.<\/p><\/li><\/ul><\/noscript><\/div><br><div id=\"jig10\" class=\"justified-image-grid jig-21abcce2c3976e19cfaea287b76ab189 jig-preset-c3 jig-source-nextgen\"><div class=\"jig-clearfix\"><\/div><noscript id=\"jig10-html\" class=\"justified-image-grid-html\" data-lazy-src=\"skiplazyload\" data-src=\"skipunveillazyload\"><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/B12A9567tit.jpg\" title=\"Canon EOS R5, Canon 300\/2,8 L IS USM, tripod : no, flash : no, Tv 1\/1000, Av 2,8, Exp.comp. 0, ISO 800, 12.1.2023, Czech rep.\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/B12A9567tit.jpg\" alt=\"Griffon vulture \/ sup b\u011blohlav\u00fd (Gyps fulvus)\" width=\"1050\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p class=\"jig-HTMLdescription\">Griffon vulture \/ sup b\u011blohlav\u00fd (Gyps fulvus)<br\/>Canon EOS R5, Canon 300\/2,8 L IS USM, tripod : no, flash : no, Tv 1\/1000, Av 2,8, Exp.comp. 0, ISO 800, 12.1.2023, Czech rep.<\/p><\/li><\/ul><\/noscript><\/div><br><div id=\"jig11\" class=\"justified-image-grid jig-a9633bbb578699824f9fd4875a6cf2d8 jig-preset-c3 jig-source-nextgen\"><div class=\"jig-clearfix\"><\/div><noscript id=\"jig11-html\" class=\"justified-image-grid-html\" data-lazy-src=\"skiplazyload\" data-src=\"skipunveillazyload\"><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/B12A9694tit.jpg\" title=\"Canon EOS R5, Canon 300\/2,8 L IS USM, tripod : no, flash : no, Tv 1\/1000, Av 2,8, Exp.comp. 0, ISO 800, 12.1.2023, Czech rep.\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/B12A9694tit.jpg\" alt=\"Griffon vulture \/ sup b\u011blohlav\u00fd (Gyps fulvus)\" width=\"1048\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p class=\"jig-HTMLdescription\">Griffon vulture \/ sup b\u011blohlav\u00fd (Gyps fulvus)<br\/>Canon EOS R5, Canon 300\/2,8 L IS USM, tripod : no, flash : no, Tv 1\/1000, Av 2,8, Exp.comp. 0, ISO 800, 12.1.2023, Czech rep.<\/p><\/li><\/ul><\/noscript><\/div><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The region around the town of Mad\u017earovo is very beautiful and wild. Unspoiled nature has been preserved in many places. However, life here is not very friendly for the local residents, which is evidenced by the fact that in the city, which previously had 7 thousand inhabitants, there are now 360 permanent citizen. And I&#8217;m not talking about the surrounding municipalities. Of most of them, only the crumbling ruins of formerly beautiful half-timbered farmsteads remain. Our base for six nights was the field station of the Bulgarian Ornithological Society, which, on the other hand, is a beautiful new building above the valley of the Arda River, in a low oak grove overlooking the steep rock towers on which vultures nest. In addition, taking care of our comfort and our full stomachs is absolutely maximum!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><div id=\"jig12\" class=\"justified-image-grid jig-eb488946aa2f5430b5e22b3bb4e6e7c1 jig-preset-c3 jig-source-nextgen\"><div class=\"jig-clearfix\"><\/div><noscript id=\"jig12-html\" class=\"justified-image-grid-html\" data-lazy-src=\"skiplazyload\" data-src=\"skipunveillazyload\"><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/20230108_164907crop.jpg\" title=\"20230108_164907crop\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/20230108_164907crop.jpg\" alt=\"Eastern Rhodope \/ V\u00fdchodn\u00ed Rodopy\" width=\"1050\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p class=\"jig-HTMLdescription\">Eastern Rhodope \/ V\u00fdchodn\u00ed Rodopy<br\/>20230108_164907crop<\/p><\/li><\/ul><\/noscript><\/div><br><div id=\"jig13\" class=\"justified-image-grid jig-410848ea2d6bd3dfc650b78e01425724 jig-preset-c3 jig-source-nextgen\"><div class=\"jig-clearfix\"><\/div><noscript id=\"jig13-html\" class=\"justified-image-grid-html\" data-lazy-src=\"skiplazyload\" data-src=\"skipunveillazyload\"><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/B12A7036tit.jpg\" title=\"Canon EOS R5, Canon 300\/2,8 L IS USM, tripod : no, flash : no, Tv 1\/1000, Av 6,3, Exp.comp. 0, ISO 800, 9.1.2023, Czech rep.\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/B12A7036tit.jpg\" alt=\"Chaffinch \/ p\u011bnkava obecn\u00e1 (Fringilla coelebs)\" width=\"1050\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p class=\"jig-HTMLdescription\">Chaffinch \/ p\u011bnkava obecn\u00e1 (Fringilla coelebs)<br\/>Canon EOS R5, Canon 300\/2,8 L IS USM, tripod : no, flash : no, Tv 1\/1000, Av 6,3, Exp.comp. 0, ISO 800, 9.1.2023, Czech rep.<\/p><\/li><\/ul><\/noscript><\/div><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As it happens, everything bad is good for something. Old dilapidated and uninhabited stone buildings with roofs made of red burnt roof tiles are inexhaustible nesting possibilities for owls, especially for the Little owl (Athene noctua). In any village, you just have to look around carefully and you will always find a few owls on some of the roofs or chimneys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><div id=\"jig14\" class=\"justified-image-grid jig-7f71916daf467973bdff5916b2ed1c61 jig-preset-c3 jig-source-nextgen\"><div class=\"jig-clearfix\"><\/div><noscript id=\"jig14-html\" class=\"justified-image-grid-html\" data-lazy-src=\"skiplazyload\" data-src=\"skipunveillazyload\"><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/B12A6115tit.jpg\" title=\"Canon EOS R5, Canon 300\/2,8 L IS USM, tripod : no, flash : no, Tv 1\/1000, Av 5,6, Exp.comp. 0, ISO 200, 7.1.2023, Czech rep.\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/B12A6115tit.jpg\" alt=\"Little owl  \/ s\u00fd\u010dek obecn\u00fd (Athene noctua)\" width=\"1050\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p class=\"jig-HTMLdescription\">Little owl  \/ s\u00fd\u010dek obecn\u00fd (Athene noctua)<br\/>Canon EOS R5, Canon 300\/2,8 L IS USM, tripod : no, flash : no, Tv 1\/1000, Av 5,6, Exp.comp. 0, ISO 200, 7.1.2023, Czech rep.<\/p><\/li><\/ul><\/noscript><\/div><br><div id=\"jig15\" class=\"justified-image-grid jig-c71843dffe50d8915c357a523b7bd6b7 jig-preset-c3 jig-source-nextgen\"><div class=\"jig-clearfix\"><\/div><noscript id=\"jig15-html\" class=\"justified-image-grid-html\" data-lazy-src=\"skiplazyload\" data-src=\"skipunveillazyload\"><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/B12A6284tit.jpg\" title=\"Canon EOS R5, Canon 400\/5,6 USM, tripod : no, flash : no, Tv 1\/400, Av 7,1, Exp.comp. 0, ISO 400, 8.1.2023, Czech rep.\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/B12A6284tit.jpg\" alt=\"Little owl  \/ s\u00fd\u010dek obecn\u00fd (Athene noctua)\" width=\"1050\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p class=\"jig-HTMLdescription\">Little owl  \/ s\u00fd\u010dek obecn\u00fd (Athene noctua)<br\/>Canon EOS R5, Canon 400\/5,6 USM, tripod : no, flash : no, Tv 1\/400, Av 7,1, Exp.comp. 0, ISO 400, 8.1.2023, Czech rep.<\/p><\/li><\/ul><\/noscript><\/div><br><div id=\"jig16\" class=\"justified-image-grid jig-9264130807c86d8055ca9e53c076d108 jig-preset-c3 jig-source-nextgen\"><div class=\"jig-clearfix\"><\/div><noscript id=\"jig16-html\" class=\"justified-image-grid-html\" data-lazy-src=\"skiplazyload\" data-src=\"skipunveillazyload\"><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/B12A6722tit.jpg\" title=\"Canon EOS R5, Canon 400\/5,6 USM, tripod : no, flash : no, Tv 1\/160, Av 5,6, Exp.comp. 0, ISO 1600, 8.1.2023, Czech rep.\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/B12A6722tit.jpg\" alt=\"Little owl  \/ s\u00fd\u010dek obecn\u00fd (Athene noctua)\" width=\"1050\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p class=\"jig-HTMLdescription\">Little owl  \/ s\u00fd\u010dek obecn\u00fd (Athene noctua)<br\/>Canon EOS R5, Canon 400\/5,6 USM, tripod : no, flash : no, Tv 1\/160, Av 5,6, Exp.comp. 0, ISO 1600, 8.1.2023, Czech rep.<\/p><\/li><\/ul><\/noscript><\/div><br><div id=\"jig17\" class=\"justified-image-grid jig-90387a404f34bbf0d4f2fad9b9ee0856 jig-preset-c3 jig-source-nextgen\"><div class=\"jig-clearfix\"><\/div><noscript id=\"jig17-html\" class=\"justified-image-grid-html\" data-lazy-src=\"skiplazyload\" data-src=\"skipunveillazyload\"><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/B12A6583tit.jpg\" title=\"Canon EOS R5, Canon 400\/5,6 USM, tripod : no, flash : no, Tv 1\/400, Av 5,6, Exp.comp. 0, ISO 800, 8.1.2023, Czech rep.\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/B12A6583tit.jpg\" alt=\"Little owl  \/ s\u00fd\u010dek obecn\u00fd (Athene noctua)\" width=\"1048\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p class=\"jig-HTMLdescription\">Little owl  \/ s\u00fd\u010dek obecn\u00fd (Athene noctua)<br\/>Canon EOS R5, Canon 400\/5,6 USM, tripod : no, flash : no, Tv 1\/400, Av 5,6, Exp.comp. 0, ISO 800, 8.1.2023, Czech rep.<\/p><\/li><\/ul><\/noscript><\/div><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You will most likely get close to vultures at a place where there is some carcass. But even then you haven&#8217;t won. These huge birds, living in flocks, have quite complex social relationships with each other, including communication. The place where there is potential food in the form of a dead animal is first checked very carefully by the so-called scouts. They are some kind of scouts who often sit motionless for several hours near the food and survey the surroundings. If they find the place safe, they will give a signal to the other vultures in some unknown way and a mass feast will occur. The vigilance of the vultures is suddenly gone and their only concern is to get as much food as possible. It is needless to emphasize that the scrambles and fights for morsels end only with the complete consumption of everything that can be eaten. After that, the overfed vultures sit around for the rest of the day and just laze around. Only with dusk do these true rulers of the skies take off one by one, circle over the feasting place and fly off towards their roosts. Due to the very warm weather (around 10 degrees C), we observed some individuals already in the first half of January collecting material for building nests and even mating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><div id=\"jig18\" class=\"justified-image-grid jig-562e81469b963484d9512bab44e9c069 jig-preset-c3 jig-source-nextgen\"><div class=\"jig-clearfix\"><\/div><noscript id=\"jig18-html\" class=\"justified-image-grid-html\" data-lazy-src=\"skiplazyload\" data-src=\"skipunveillazyload\"><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/B12A2895tit.jpg\" title=\"Canon EOS R5, Canon 300\/2,8 L IS USM, tripod : no, flash : no, Tv 1\/1250, Av 2,8, Exp.comp. 0, ISO 1600, 13.1.2023, Czech rep.\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/B12A2895tit.jpg\" alt=\"Griffon vulture \/ sup b\u011blohlav\u00fd (Gyps fulvus)\" width=\"1050\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p class=\"jig-HTMLdescription\">Griffon vulture \/ sup b\u011blohlav\u00fd (Gyps fulvus)<br\/>Canon EOS R5, Canon 300\/2,8 L IS USM, tripod : no, flash : no, Tv 1\/1250, Av 2,8, Exp.comp. 0, ISO 1600, 13.1.2023, Czech rep.<\/p><\/li><\/ul><\/noscript><\/div><br><div id=\"jig19\" class=\"justified-image-grid jig-da834582f588da47d8a831da273f8fdf jig-preset-c3 jig-source-nextgen\"><div class=\"jig-clearfix\"><\/div><noscript id=\"jig19-html\" class=\"justified-image-grid-html\" data-lazy-src=\"skiplazyload\" data-src=\"skipunveillazyload\"><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/B12A2599tit.jpg\" title=\"Canon EOS R5, Canon 300\/2,8 L IS USM, tripod : no, flash : no, Tv 1\/800, Av 2,8, Exp.comp. 0, ISO 1600, 13.1.2023, Czech rep.\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/B12A2599tit.jpg\" alt=\"Griffon vulture \/ sup b\u011blohlav\u00fd (Gyps fulvus)\" width=\"1048\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p class=\"jig-HTMLdescription\">Griffon vulture \/ sup b\u011blohlav\u00fd (Gyps fulvus)<br\/>Canon EOS R5, Canon 300\/2,8 L IS USM, tripod : no, flash : no, Tv 1\/800, Av 2,8, Exp.comp. 0, ISO 1600, 13.1.2023, Czech rep.<\/p><\/li><\/ul><\/noscript><\/div><br><div id=\"jig20\" class=\"justified-image-grid jig-cce2c3ac306b8055d592c06490c7aaba jig-preset-c3 jig-source-nextgen\"><div class=\"jig-clearfix\"><\/div><noscript id=\"jig20-html\" class=\"justified-image-grid-html\" data-lazy-src=\"skiplazyload\" data-src=\"skipunveillazyload\"><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/B12A1359tit.jpg\" title=\"Canon EOS R5, Canon 300\/2,8 L IS USM, tripod : no, flash : no, Tv 1\/400, Av 2,8, Exp.comp. 0, ISO 1250, 13.1.2023, Czech rep.\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/B12A1359tit.jpg\" alt=\"Griffon vulture \/ sup b\u011blohlav\u00fd (Gyps fulvus)\" width=\"1048\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p class=\"jig-HTMLdescription\">Griffon vulture \/ sup b\u011blohlav\u00fd (Gyps fulvus)<br\/>Canon EOS R5, Canon 300\/2,8 L IS USM, tripod : no, flash : no, Tv 1\/400, Av 2,8, Exp.comp. 0, ISO 1250, 13.1.2023, Czech rep.<\/p><\/li><\/ul><\/noscript><\/div><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But a worn table does not only attract vultures. Hooded crows (Corvus cornix) and Common ravens (Corvus corax) will always take easily available calories. They are also usually the first to discover the food source and keep watch around it even in the morning darkness. In many cases, they have to wait. Although they have quite strong beaks, it is not enough to pick up the dead body of an animal. That has to be provided by larger predators. Often these are vultures or also foxes or jackals. We were not lucky with those. On the other hand, other feathered predators, especially buzzards (Buteo buteo) and Golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos), were very regular diners. These predators mainly arrived early in the morning or late in the evening, when the croaking ravens and crows left the laid table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><div id=\"jig21\" class=\"justified-image-grid jig-801ed01cc8b333f7a04ead87b2788d08 jig-preset-c3 jig-source-nextgen\"><div class=\"jig-clearfix\"><\/div><noscript id=\"jig21-html\" class=\"justified-image-grid-html\" data-lazy-src=\"skiplazyload\" data-src=\"skipunveillazyload\"><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/B12A7194tit.jpg\" title=\"Canon EOS R5, Canon 300\/2,8 L IS USM, tripod : no, flash : no, Tv 1\/20, Av 22, Exp.comp. 0, ISO 100, 9.1.2023, Czech rep.\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/B12A7194tit.jpg\" alt=\"Hooded crows \/ vr\u00e1na \u0161ed\u00e1 (Corvus cornix)\" width=\"1050\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p class=\"jig-HTMLdescription\">Hooded crows \/ vr\u00e1na \u0161ed\u00e1 (Corvus cornix)<br\/>Canon EOS R5, Canon 300\/2,8 L IS USM, tripod : no, flash : no, Tv 1\/20, Av 22, Exp.comp. 0, ISO 100, 9.1.2023, Czech rep.<\/p><\/li><\/ul><\/noscript><\/div><br><div id=\"jig22\" class=\"justified-image-grid jig-12c7d905283e634aca7721276aa5f9a2 jig-preset-c3 jig-source-nextgen\"><div class=\"jig-clearfix\"><\/div><noscript id=\"jig22-html\" class=\"justified-image-grid-html\" data-lazy-src=\"skiplazyload\" data-src=\"skipunveillazyload\"><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/B12A0485tit.jpg\" title=\"Canon EOS R5, Canon 300\/2,8 L IS USM, tripod : no, flash : no, Tv 1\/1250, Av 2,8, Exp.comp. 0, ISO 640, 12.1.2023, Czech rep.\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/B12A0485tit.jpg\" alt=\"Common raven \/ krkavec velk\u00fd (Corvus corax)\" width=\"1050\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p class=\"jig-HTMLdescription\">Common raven \/ krkavec velk\u00fd (Corvus corax)<br\/>Canon EOS R5, Canon 300\/2,8 L IS USM, tripod : no, flash : no, Tv 1\/1250, Av 2,8, Exp.comp. 0, ISO 640, 12.1.2023, Czech rep.<\/p><\/li><\/ul><\/noscript><\/div><br><div id=\"jig23\" class=\"justified-image-grid jig-18b1e64f303415b147a6079d9e1e5dcd jig-preset-c3 jig-source-nextgen\"><div class=\"jig-clearfix\"><\/div><noscript id=\"jig23-html\" class=\"justified-image-grid-html\" data-lazy-src=\"skiplazyload\" data-src=\"skipunveillazyload\"><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/B12A0448tit.jpg\" title=\"Canon EOS R5, Canon 300\/2,8 L IS USM, tripod : no, flash : no, Tv 1\/1250, Av 2,8, Exp.comp. 0, ISO 640, 12.1.2023, Czech rep.\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/B12A0448tit.jpg\" alt=\"Common raven \/ krkavec velk\u00fd (Corvus corax)\" width=\"1048\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p class=\"jig-HTMLdescription\">Common raven \/ krkavec velk\u00fd (Corvus corax)<br\/>Canon EOS R5, Canon 300\/2,8 L IS USM, tripod : no, flash : no, Tv 1\/1250, Av 2,8, Exp.comp. 0, ISO 640, 12.1.2023, Czech rep.<\/p><\/li><\/ul><\/noscript><\/div><br><div id=\"jig24\" class=\"justified-image-grid jig-f8786f83db2ca71938e1c08ac5c3b4e1 jig-preset-c3 jig-source-nextgen\"><div class=\"jig-clearfix\"><\/div><noscript id=\"jig24-html\" class=\"justified-image-grid-html\" data-lazy-src=\"skiplazyload\" data-src=\"skipunveillazyload\"><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/B12A8072tit.jpg\" title=\"Canon EOS R5, Canon 300\/2,8 L IS USM, tripod : no, flash : no, Tv 1\/320, Av 3,2, Exp.comp. 0, ISO 800, 10.1.2023, Czech rep.\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/B12A8072tit.jpg\" alt=\"Golden eagles \/ orel skaln\u00ed (Aquila chrysaetos)\" width=\"1050\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p class=\"jig-HTMLdescription\">Golden eagles \/ orel skaln\u00ed (Aquila chrysaetos)<br\/>Canon EOS R5, Canon 300\/2,8 L IS USM, tripod : no, flash : no, Tv 1\/320, Av 3,2, Exp.comp. 0, ISO 800, 10.1.2023, Czech rep.<\/p><\/li><\/ul><\/noscript><\/div><br><div id=\"jig25\" class=\"justified-image-grid jig-4208de8e4cd01ab1a61b686a3f13209b jig-preset-c3 jig-source-nextgen\"><div class=\"jig-clearfix\"><\/div><noscript id=\"jig25-html\" class=\"justified-image-grid-html\" data-lazy-src=\"skiplazyload\" data-src=\"skipunveillazyload\"><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/B12A7302tit.jpg\" title=\"Canon EOS R5, Canon 300\/2,8 L IS USM, tripod : no, flash : no, Tv 1\/500, Av 2,8, Exp.comp. 0, ISO 1000, 9.1.2023, Czech rep.\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/B12A7302tit.jpg\" alt=\"Golden eagles \/ orel skaln\u00ed (Aquila chrysaetos)\" width=\"1050\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p class=\"jig-HTMLdescription\">Golden eagles \/ orel skaln\u00ed (Aquila chrysaetos)<br\/>Canon EOS R5, Canon 300\/2,8 L IS USM, tripod : no, flash : no, Tv 1\/500, Av 2,8, Exp.comp. 0, ISO 1000, 9.1.2023, Czech rep.<\/p><\/li><\/ul><\/noscript><\/div><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Spending a few days in the company of the vulture rulers of the heavens in their natural habitat was a unique experience. I would like to repeat a similar trip sometime, probably in the spring months, in order to catch the third representative of the vulture family &#8211; the scavenger vulture. And he also experienced again the pleasant feeling of Bulgarian nature and great people who have dedicated their lives to saving vultures. The valley of the river Arda is a real safe haven for vultures in Bulgaria, their real fortress.<br><br><div id=\"jig26\" class=\"justified-image-grid jig-d2078bfa824dad0dafeaf5bf104f92ed jig-preset-c3 jig-source-nextgen\"><div class=\"jig-clearfix\"><\/div><noscript id=\"jig26-html\" class=\"justified-image-grid-html\" data-lazy-src=\"skiplazyload\" data-src=\"skipunveillazyload\"><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/B12A3195tit.jpg\" title=\"Canon EOS R5, Canon 300\/2,8 L IS USM, tripod : no, flash : no, Tv 1\/1250, Av 2,8, Exp.comp. 0, ISO 1000, 13.1.2023, Czech rep.\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/B12A3195tit.jpg\" alt=\"Griffon vulture \/ sup b\u011blohlav\u00fd (Gyps fulvus)\" width=\"1050\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p class=\"jig-HTMLdescription\">Griffon vulture \/ sup b\u011blohlav\u00fd (Gyps fulvus)<br\/>Canon EOS R5, Canon 300\/2,8 L IS USM, tripod : no, flash : no, Tv 1\/1250, Av 2,8, Exp.comp. 0, ISO 1000, 13.1.2023, Czech rep.<\/p><\/li><\/ul><\/noscript><\/div><br><div id=\"jig27\" class=\"justified-image-grid jig-abd73707bcac147d45a64cabc3ed4ff0 jig-preset-c3 jig-source-nextgen\"><div class=\"jig-clearfix\"><\/div><noscript id=\"jig27-html\" class=\"justified-image-grid-html\" data-lazy-src=\"skiplazyload\" data-src=\"skipunveillazyload\"><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/B12A348081tit.jpg\" title=\"Canon EOS R5, Canon 300\/2,8 L IS USM, tripod : no, flash : no, Tv 1\/1250, Av 2,8, Exp.comp. 0, ISO 800, 13.1.2023, Czech rep.\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/wp-content\/gallery\/rhodopy\/B12A348081tit.jpg\" alt=\"Griffon vulture \/ sup b\u011blohlav\u00fd (Gyps fulvus)\" width=\"1048\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p class=\"jig-HTMLdescription\">Griffon vulture \/ sup b\u011blohlav\u00fd (Gyps fulvus)<br\/>Canon EOS R5, Canon 300\/2,8 L IS USM, tripod : no, flash : no, Tv 1\/1250, Av 2,8, Exp.comp. 0, ISO 800, 13.1.2023, Czech rep.<\/p><\/li><\/ul><\/noscript><\/div><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><span class=\"excerpt-hellip\"> [\u2026]<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6220,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6219","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6219","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6219"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6219\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6222,"href":"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6219\/revisions\/6222"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6220"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6219"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6219"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.geoicon.cz\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6219"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}